MOT History from tests of diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1991

Review the list of common VOLKSWAGEN GOLF failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your VOLKSWAGEN then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:46.82%

(The average a diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1991 passes without issue)

Based on:4,261 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	583
Registration plate lamp issues	502
Headlamp aim out of alignment	435
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	368
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	298
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	247
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	202
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	142
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	136
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	124
Registration plate issues	112
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	106
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	73
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	72
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	72
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	70
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	70
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	67
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	63
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	59
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	58
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	58
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	58
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	55
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	55
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	54
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	54
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	51
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	51
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	49
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	45
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	45
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	44
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	41
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	41
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	40
Rear brake binding	39
Windscreen has damage	39
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	39
Rear brake application uneven	38
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	38
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	37
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	37
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	36
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	36
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	34
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	33
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	32
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	32
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	31
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	31
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	31
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	29
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	29
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	29
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	29
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	29
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	29
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	28
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	28
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	28
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	26
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	25
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	25
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	25
Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1c\|	25
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	25
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	24
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	24
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	24
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure \|2.1.2d\|	24
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	23
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	23
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	23
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	22
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	22
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	21
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	21
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	21
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	21
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	21
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	20
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	20
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	20
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	19
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	19
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	19
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	19
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	19
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	19
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	19
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	19
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	18
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	18
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	18
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	18
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	18
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	17
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	17
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	17
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	17
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Brake hose damaged	16
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	16
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	16
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	15
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	15
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	15
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	15
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	15
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	15
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	15
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	15
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	14
Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1c\|	14
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	14
Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	14
Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	14
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	14
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	14
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	14
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	13
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	13
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	13
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	13
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	12
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	12
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	12
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	12
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	12
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	12
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	12
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	11
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	11
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Brake load sensing valve seized \|3.6.E.3\|	11
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	11
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	11
Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	11
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Nearside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	10
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	10
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	10
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage defective and function impaired \|3.6.E.3\|	10
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	10
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	10
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	10
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	10
rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	10
Front brake application uneven	10
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	10
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly \|2.5.B.1b\|	10
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Offside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	9
Nearside Side repeater insecure \|1.4.A.2b\|	9
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Front Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	9
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	9
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	9
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	9
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	9
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	8
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	8
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	8
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.3\|	8
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	7
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	7
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	7
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	7
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	7
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	7
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	7
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	7
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	7
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	7

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

MOT History from tests of diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1991

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